Anthony Ravard defends title in Châteauroux-Classic de l’Indre

Ag2r La Mondiale rider makes it a solid three wins in race that suits him

Anthony Ravard of the Ag2r La Mondiale team successfully defended the title in the Châteauroux-Classic de l’Indre in France today. He beat fast man Yauheni Hutarovich (Française des Jeux) and the Rabobank Continental team rider Jasper Bovenhuis. It was Ravard's second win of the season, after taking the overall in the Etoile de Bessèges in February.

There was no stage win for Ravard in Bessèges, so crossing the line in first was special. "I am obviously happy," he said at the finish. "I am lucky that I can go fast in the sprint, which allows me to compensate a bit for what I lack in physical strength." Ravard is not one hundred percent fit. "I still have pain in my leg and even though it may be hard to believe when you have seen my victory today, I continue to doubt."

Without his full strength, Ravard is frightened that the hilly courses will be too much. "Today, the parcours was all flat and I didn't have to do anything other than put myself onto the wheel of Hutarovich in the final. My speed then allowed me to pass him before the line."

It was the fourth win of the season for the French team. "It is a victory that is super-important for me, but also for the whole squad," Ravard said. "I hope it'll give some ideas to my friends for the rest of the season."

Ag2r performed like a clockwork today. "Everybody did their share of the work and there was a very good collective the whole day long." When it got to the end and the hectic started to pick up, Ravard was able to count on his mates. "Notably, Ben [Gastauer] et Yannick [Martinez] did a very good job. Chapeau to Yannick, who is 'only' a stagiaire, but who was there by my side."

The team's sports director Gilles Mas was also happy. "We have been waiting for a while for such a victory and it comes after such nice team work." Mas was content that Ag2r rode a very aggressive race. "The riders worked very well and they really wanted that win."

With Ravard's physical state not one hundred percent, the team did not know how it was going to end. "Anthony didn't feel well in the Tour du Limousin and we didn't know really where he was. His teammates were by his side and it worked."

The French team could do with a few more wins. "I hope that this success can trigger more in the end of the season and that it is nothing but the beginning of a good series."

Tony Gallopin (Cofidis) finished eighth to continue to lead the Coupe de France.

Ag2r worked well to put both Julien Bérard and Blel Kadri in the break of the day. But the peloton shut down the move and Française des Jeux set up the train for Hutarovich.